Spiritual Inventory

Spiritual Inventory

December 31, 2006

Introduction

               It’s  the end of the year!  It’s inventory time!  Every business takes inventory from time to time.  Some take inventory more often than others.  In our business, we must take inventory at least once each year for accounting purposes, and sometimes more often than that.

I said for accounting purposes, so why am I talking about accounting and inventories to all of you this morning? Notice what Paul says in (Rom 14:12) “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Since we are to give an account to God, Paul encourages us to take inventory ahead of our final day of accounting.

With respect to the Lord’s Supper, he says, (1 Cor 11:27-29 NKJV) “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. {28} But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. {29} For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

Body

I. The Bible speaks of judging ourselves.

A. Jesus spoke of judging ourselves.

(Mat 7:1-5 NKJV) "Judge not, that you be not judged. {2} "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. {3} "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? {4} "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? {5} "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

1. Clearly, there are at least two thoughts in these verses:

a. Teaching against judging others.

b. Teaching us to find the faults in our own lives.

2. Today, we wish to concentrate on judging ourselves.

B. Paul emphasized the need of spiritual inventory as well.

(2 Cor 13:5 NKJV) Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?; unless indeed you are disqualified.

C. We may need others to help in our inventory.

1. David asked for God’s help.

(Psa 139:23-24 NKJV) Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; {24} And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

2. We might even ask our spouse or a friend if we are not aware of any shortcomings.

II. What are the areas of life that we to examine?

How is our devotional time?

1. Do we have a set devotional time and place?

2. What does it consist of?

a. Is there Bible reading?

(Psa 119:11-12 NKJV) Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! {12} Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes!

b. Do you have a plan?

c. How do you pray? Aloud, or silently?

d. Do you have a prayer partner?

(Mat 18:19 NKJV) "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

e. Some add a song or more to their devotional times.

3. How do you rate your devotional time? Does it need improvement?

B. How about our concern for the lost?

1. Do we pray for our missionaries? Jim Corner, Felix, Juan Klaud, and others.

2. Are we concerned about those with spiritual needs around us?

a. Those of our number who miss services?

b. Neighbors who are out of Christ or out of duty?

c. Do we have a compassion for the lost?

(Mat 9:36-38 NKJV) But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. {37} Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. {38} "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

How about my personal life?

1. Am I pleasant to be around?

(Col 4:6 NKJV) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

2. Would strangers I meet be surprised to learn that I am a Christian?

III. How do we change?

Change is really repentance.

(Acts 3:19 NKJV) "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

We need to reflect on what we should be and repent of what we haven’t done.

(Rev 2:5 NKJV) "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.

Be accountable to a human, and work together on your goals.

Conclusion

I. A new year is upon us.

II. A new you could be much better perhaps.

III. Are you close to God, or is there something you need to make right publicly?

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